Sale 1239 — 2021 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Thursday, 24 June, 2021
Category — 1870-88 Bank Note Issues
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Clearly visible grill, well-centered with sharp proof-like impression, New York Foreign Mail cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A SCARCE EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE WITH A CLEAR NEW YORK FOREIGN MAIL CANCEL.
A Power Search review reveals that we have not offered another Scott 143 with a NYFM cancel in sound condition with Very Fine centering since 2008. With 1999 and 2021 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
6c Carmine (148). Original gum, bright color, essentially perfect centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE -- COMBINING COLOR, CENTERING, JUMBO MARGINS -- AND GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E..
Unlike its counterparts in the Continental and American Bank Note Company issues, the 6c National is rarely found in the highest grades with original gum. This Jumbo-margined example is easily one of the finest extant.
With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $7,250.00). Only one stamp in the P.S.E. Population Report grades higher -- at 98 and without a Jumbo appellation. This is the only example graded 95J
15c Bright Orange (152). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins and well-centered, vivid color on bright paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE.
From our 1989 Rarities sale (with selvage at right) and ex "Cloudrest". With 1989 and 2021 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
24c Purple (153). Original gum, rich color, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE.
Ex Hoffman. With 1990, 2004 and 2021 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
30c Black (154). Unused (traces of gum), Jumbo margins and exceptional centering, intense shade and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE UNGRILLED ISSUE, WITH JUMBO MARGINS AND CHOICE CENTERING.
This is one of the most difficult of all the Bank Note issues to find in such superb unused condition. The P.S.E. Population Report lists only one example of Scott 154 above the grade of 90 in any gum condition (a single original-gum stamp graded 95).
With 2021 P.F. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo). Scott value without gum
90c Dull Carmine, Special Printing (202). Without gum as issued, bright color, balanced margins on three sides, centered a bit to right but perfs well clearVERY FINE. ONLY 42 EXAMPLES OF THE 90-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTINGS ARE KNOWN TO EXIST. THIS IS A RARE SOUND AND WELL-CENTERED EXAMPLE.
Our census of Scott 202 contains 42 examples, including one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, leaving 41 available to collectors. The 90c 1880 Special Printing on soft paper is notorious for its condition. Thins or more serious faults affect about half of the known examples. Most of the sound examples are centered to the right.
Census no. 202-UNC-17. Ex Klein, T. Charlton Henry and Hansen. "W.H.C." backstamp of Warren H. Colson. With 1975 and 2008 P.F. certificates
2c Scarlet Vermilion, Special Printing (203). Without gum as issued, rich color, bottom left corner perf expertly reattachedVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTINGS. ONLY 20 ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS, MANY OF WHICH ARE OFF-CENTER.
Our census of Scott 203, available at our website at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/203 , contains 20 examples, including one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library.
Census no. 203-UNC-02. Ex Dr. Meilstrup and "Newport". With 1952 and 2008 P.F. certificates
5c Gray Brown, Special Printing (205C). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and detailed impression, choice centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THE 5-CENT GARFIELD 1882 SPECIAL PRINTING IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL THE BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTINGS. THIS SUPERB EXAMPLE IS ONE OF ONLY 22 RECORDED, AND IS GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E.
This elusive Special Printing was the subject of an informative article by William E. Mooz in the Chronicle, February 1992. His research provides strong evidence that the stamps recognized as Scott 205C are a small part of the 2,463 sold as Special Printings through the Third Assistant Postmaster General's office, and that regular issues were used to fill the backlog of orders for the 5c Garfield.
Our census of Scott 205C, available at our website at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/205C , contains 22 examples.
Census no. 205C-UNC-04. Ex Lilly and Chapin. With 1949, 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $95,000.00). Only two grade higher (at 95) and four others share this grade.
4c Deep Blue Green, Special Printing (211D). Without gum as issued, intense color and sharp proof-like impression on bright paperFINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT 1883 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL SPECIAL PRINTINGS -- ONLY 26 ARE RECORDED.
Our census of the 4c 1883 Special Printing, available at our website at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/211D , contains 26 stamps offered as Scott 211D, of which 25 have been certified by The Philatelic Foundation. Post Office Department records indicate that only 26 were sold. Of the known copies, at least six have small faults and several others have not been examined for condition in many years.
Census no. 211D-UNC-08. Originally part of a block of four with Census nos. 211D-UNC-01, 11 and 15. With 2009 P.F. certificate as this single.